bring about
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To cause something to happen or exist: To be the agent or catalyst that makes an event, situation, or state occur.
- To cause a vehicle or vessel to turn around: To reverse the direction of travel, especially of a boat.
Usage and Examples
To cause an event or situation:
- The new policy aims to bring about positive social change.
- The invention of the internet brought about a revolution in communication.
- It was the scandal that brought about the government's collapse.
To cause a vessel to turn (less common, often nautical):
- The captain ordered the crew to bring about the ship to avoid the iceberg.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Bring about" is a transitive phrasal verb, requiring a direct object (the thing that is caused). It is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe causation.
- It implies a direct or indirect agent of change, often an action, decision, or event that leads to a significant result.
- The focus is on the result or outcome that is achieved.
Variants and Related Words
- Accomplish (verb): To successfully complete or achieve a goal.
- Effect (verb, formal): To cause something to happen; to bring into existence.
- Engender (verb, formal): To produce, cause, or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition.
- Precipitate (verb): To cause an event or situation, typically a bad one, to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
Synonyms
- Cause
- Produce
- Create
- Give rise to
- Lead to
- Result in
- Effectuate (formal)
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Bring on: To cause something, often something unpleasant, to happen or appear.
- The stress brought on a severe headache.
- Bring forth (literary/formal): To produce, give rise to, or introduce.
- The crisis brought forth a new generation of leaders.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- To bring about a sea change: To cause a complete and profound transformation.
- The digital revolution has brought about a sea change in how we work.
- To bring about one's own downfall: To cause one's own failure or ruin through one's actions.
- His arrogance ultimately brought about his own downfall.
Verb
- cause to happen, occur or exist
- This procedure produces a curious effect
- The new law gave rise to many complaints
- These chemicals produce a noxious vapor
- the new President must bring about a change in the health care system
- cause to move into the opposite direction
- they brought about the boat when they saw a storm approaching